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Zunino among three trimmed from big league camp

3/2/13: Mike Zunino hits his first home run of Spring Training, a solo shot in the third inning against the Dodgers

By Greg Johns
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MLB.com |

PEORIA, Ariz. - Catcher Mike Zunino, the Mariners' first-round Draft choice last June, was among three players cut from the Major League camp Tuesday night.

Zunino and right-handed reliever Logan Bawcom were reassigned to the Minor League camp, while outfielder Eric Thames was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.

Thames, as a member of the 40-man roster, has to officially be optioned. The other two were non-roster invitees and thus are just re-assigned.

Zunino, 23, hit .227 (5-for-22) with two home runs and three RBIs in 14 games this spring. Bawcom didn't allow a run in four innings of relief.

Thames, 26, was acquired from the Blue Jays in a trade for reliever Steve Delabar last July 30. He's played parts of the past three seasons in the Majors with a .250 batting average, 21 home runs and 62 RBIs.

But the Mariners have a crowded outfield situation this spring with the addition of Michael Morse, Raul Ibanez and Jason Bay, so Thames was a long shot to make the roster since he still has Minor League options.

The Mariners are now down to three catchers - Jesus Montero, Kelly Shoppach and Jesus Sucre. Seven outfielders remain: Franklin Gutierrez, Michael Saunders, Casper Wells, Carlos Peguero, Morse, Ibanez and Bay. They'll likely wind up with two catchers and five outfielders on their final 25-man roster.